In general, the higher the blood uric acid level, the greater the likelihood of a gout attack, and although there is a positive correlation between the two, there is no specific blood uric acid value that causes a gout attack. Hyperuricemia is the basis for the development of gout, but elevated blood uric acid alone does not equate to gout, which must occur with the precipitation and deposition of urate crystals. Patients with elevated blood uric acid alone can have no discomfort and only have a persistent or fluctuating elevation of blood uric acid. Many patients do not even know that their blood uric acid is elevated if they do not have a blood test. However, patients with hyperuricemia are at high risk for gout attacks. Gender, age, history of hyperuricemia, and blood uric acid levels all combine to determine whether a gout attack will occur and how early it will occur. In male patients, the older they are, the longer their history of hyperuricemia and the higher their blood uric acid levels, the greater the likelihood of gout attack. This is because in older patients, the physiological ability to metabolize uric acid decreases, and the longer the history of hyperuricemia and the higher the blood uric acid level, the greater the likelihood of precipitation and deposition of uric acid crystals. This shows that patients with hyperuricemia are at high risk for gout attacks. Once elevated blood uric acid is detected, it is important to seek immediate medical attention, either through diet, exercise or medication, to ensure that blood uric acid levels are normal and to prevent gout attacks.